Chapter 108: A Night of Bloodshed

Bang!

The window shattered with a thunderous crash! A figure descended into the main hall. It was Qin Feiyang!

He looked up at the City Lord and chuckled, "You truly are forgetful; you can't even recognize my voice anymore."

"How is this possible?"

"Why are you not dead?"

The City Lord and the Head of the Mu family stared with wide, incredulous eyes, disbelief etched onto their faces. A flicker of joy passed through the eyes of the Head of the Jiang family, though a moment later, his expression turned cold.

"How dare you deliver yourself to me? I shall kill you now!" he shouted. With that, he charged toward Qin Feiyang, radiating murderous intent.

"Yes, kill him! Don't let him escape!" the City Lord and the Mu patriarch roared.

But soon, they were stunned. When the Jiang patriarch reached Qin Feiyang, the killing intent vanished instantly. His face filled with apology, and he said, "Thank you for your forgiveness."

Indeed, he had no intention of killing Qin Feiyang; he was merely using the ruse to change his position. He knew that once the City Lord discovered his betrayal, he would not be spared. He had to escape and distance himself from the City Lord immediately.

Qin Feiyang smiled, "Senior is too kind. I, too, was in the wrong, and I hope you can overlook my offenses."

Hearing this, the Jiang patriarch felt even more ashamed, yet a faint smile graced his lips.

"Jiang Rong, what are you doing?" the City Lord demanded, finally realizing the situation.

The Jiang patriarch turned to face the two men and said calmly, "Isn't it obvious?"

"To betray the City Lord... you are courting death!" the Mu patriarch bellowed.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort echoed through the hall. Luo Xiong, the Master of the Martial Hall, the Master of the Treasure Pavilion, and Ling Yunfei entered one after another.

"Why are you all here?" The Mu patriarch’s face turned pale; he retreated behind the City Lord, his mind drowning in fear. The City Lord was equally horrified.

However, upon seeing Luo Xiong and the others, the Jiang patriarch felt his heart settle. He no longer feared retaliation from the City Lord.

"As the Lord of a city, you have repeatedly conspired against two juniors—have you no sense of shame?" Luo Xiong scolded, his gaze icy. "You even intended to drive us out of Black Bear City. King Yan gave you power to benefit the people, not to commit evil. Do you truly believe you are the emperor of Black Bear City, capable of hiding the heavens with one hand? Let me tell you, your words alone are enough to send you to hell!"

The City Lord’s pupils contracted. "Emperor" was a taboo word in the Great Qin Empire. Even the royal family dared not claim such a title, for it represented supreme, divine authority. To call oneself an emperor was to defy imperial power, a crime punishable by the execution of one's entire clan. In the vast Great Qin Empire, only one person—the true ruler—dared to claim such a title.

He had indeed said it, and he had said it without reservation, confident that the Jiang and Mu patriarchs would never dare to leak his words. He had never expected the Jiang patriarch to defect, nor that these words would be overheard by Luo Xiong and the others. This was a capital crime! If it reached the ears of King Yan, he would surely die.

What to do? Yes—deny it to the death!

He glanced at Qin Feiyang and the others, saying coolly, "Did I say such things? Who can testify to it? Do not think that by conspiring together, you can slander me. There is still law in this world."

The Mu patriarch shouted, "Exactly! You are spreading rumors and making false accusations!"

Luo Xiong and the others clenched their fists. They had not expected these two to be so shameless. They were grateful for Qin Feiyang’s foresight; if they hadn't used an Image Crystal to record the conversation, they would have had no way to prove their case.

"Nothing to say now?"

"This isn't over. I will report you to King Yan for forming cliques for selfish interests and slandering a good man," the City Lord sneered.

"Ha-ha..." The Master of the Martial Hall laughed, pulling out the Image Crystal. "Unfortunately, your conspiracy will not succeed, for I have recorded every word you just said."

"What!" The City Lord’s expression turned deathly pale.

*Whoosh!*

In the next instant, he lunged forward like a bolt of lightning, attempting to seize the crystal.

"Hmph!" The Martial Hall Master snorted, making the crystal vanish as he stepped forward to meet the City Lord.

"Die!" the City Lord roared. He had no choice but to burn his bridges and kill them all.

"You are not qualified to kill me!" the Martial Hall Master sneered. Both men erupted with brilliant battle aura, their momentum soaring to the heavens!

"Retreat, all of you!" Luo Xiong shouted to Qin Feiyang and the others. Once Battle Kings clashed, the resulting destruction would be immense. Qin Feiyang and his companions knew they would be nothing more than cannon fodder if they stayed, so they immediately turned and fled the hall. The Mu patriarch fled as well.

*BOOM!*

Just as they cleared the hall, the two masters collided. A terrifying, destructive shockwave surged outward like a tidal wave. Tables and chairs were pulverized, stone pillars collapsed, and in an instant, the hall was reduced to ruins. Even the entire structure began to sway.

The destruction caused by Battle Kings was truly fearsome. Qin Feiyang and the others retreated further.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, the Jiang patriarch frowned and looked toward a narrow path to the left. A dark figure was fleeing toward the gates of the City Lord’s mansion—it was the Mu patriarch!

"Old dog Mu, where do you think you're going!" The Jiang patriarch roared, channeling his true energy and chasing after him with murderous intent.

"What do we do?" Ling Yunfei asked, caught off guard by the rapid turn of events.

Qin Feiyang said grimly, "It is better to be a shattered jade than an intact roof tile. The City Lord has lost his footing and will surely fight to the death. We must leave this place."

Before he could finish, the City Lord’s roar echoed from the hall: "Everyone, hear my order! Kill Jiang Haotian and Ling Yunfei at any cost!"

The command was filled with boundless malice. The two men turned pale and fled toward the exit, but the nearby guards immediately charged at them. The entire mansion descended into chaos.

"Kill them!" Several guards rushed forward, brandishing cold, gleaming weapons.

Qin Feiyang’s face darkened. He scanned the area and shouted, "Go right! Over the wall!"

Before they could take a few steps, another group of guards intercepted them.

"Damn it, let's fight!" Filled with ferocity, Qin Feiyang drew *Cangxue* and charged, swinging his blade with a mighty force.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew as the weapons of the guards shattered upon impact.

"Die!" Ling Yunfei roared, punching a guard in the chest. The man screamed and was sent flying, falling to the ground lifeless.

Two more guards lunged at Ling Yunfei, but before they could reach him, Qin Feiyang leaped forward, *Cangxue* flashing as he pierced one guard through the heart. He pulled the blade free and lunged at the other. Suddenly, a guard struck at his chest with a sword. Qin Feiyang couldn't dodge in time and felt a sharp pain.

"Huh?" He looked down in surprise. The blade hadn't pierced him. It was his animal-hide undershirt that had deflected the blow and saved his life. The guard stared in utter disbelief.

"Die!" With his heart protected, Qin Feiyang’s spirit steadied. He swung *Cangxue* through the air, slitting the guard's throat. Without a moment's hesitation, he and Ling Yunfei fought a path of blood toward the exit.

These guards were at least five-star Martial Masters, quite formidable. Despite their seamless teamwork, the help of *Cangxue*, advanced techniques, and the protective hide shirt, Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei gradually sustained wounds.

Outside, the torrential rain continued to fall. It was a bloody night. The City Lord’s mansion echoed with the sounds of battle, the ground stained crimson. All of Black Bear City was stirred, and people began to surge toward the area.

The two men fought their way through the carnage, stepping over corpses until they finally reached a wall. But there, five burly middle-aged men blocked their path. The two turned to flee without hesitation, for they recognized these men—they were the same assassins who had tracked them earlier. They were all Martial Sect experts!

"Stop them!" one of the men bellowed.

A group of guards surged forward to cut off their retreat, while the five Martial Sect experts closed in, ready to strike them down. Just as the two were about to meet their end, *WHOOSH!*

Several beams of brilliant battle aura, sharp as arrows, tore through the air and pierced the chests of the guards and the five experts.

*AAHH!*

A chorus of screams shattered the night. The guards and the five experts fell to the ground, each with a thumb-sized, gaping hole in their chest, blood spraying like fountains.

A white-clad figure streaked toward them—it was Luo Xiong. He was wreathed in battle aura, shining like a full moon in the dark night.

"Thank you, Master," the two said gratefully. If Luo Xiong hadn't arrived in time, they would be dead.

"As long as you are safe," Luo Xiong said, relieved to see they were only wounded.

"What about the City Lord?" Qin Feiyang asked.

"He will surely die tonight," Luo Xiong replied, "but two more Battle Kings are hiding within the mansion. You must leave at once."

"If you want to leave, you'll have to ask me first!"

At that moment, a chilling voice rang out. An old man in black appeared like a meteor, entering their line of sight.

"Go!" Luo Xiong shouted to the two as he turned to face the old man. Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei rushed toward the perimeter wall.

"Thinking of leaving? In your dreams!" The old man’s eyes glinted with murder. He swept his hand through the air, his battle aura forming a violent, surging wave that crashed toward Luo Xiong. Simultaneously, he bypassed Luo Xiong and, in the blink of an eye, sent two blasts of energy streaking toward the heads of Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei!